Advice needed (from aussie TS, sorry!)

[Mina]

I started getting councelling about two months ago with a therapist who has been really understanding and wonderful with me: she listens and advises, never judges, and always manages to make me feel a little better. Together we've been talking about my desire to be female and what I should do, and she has been invaluable in helping me cope with some of my worst bouts of depression. There's one problem though, and that's that she hasn't had any experience with gender dysphoria before: she only knows what I've told her. She's wonderful, but I'm beginning to feel like I'm getting nowhere. Can anyone recommend any good Gender therapists in the Canberra region? I know its partially my fault for not doing my research, but I wanted to be as discrete as possible (curse my lack of courage!)

Sorry to bother you,
Mina.

[Dennis]

Don't apologize Mina, that's what we're here for. Support, encouragement, advice, and community. We have some Aussie members, so hopefully one of them will be able to assist.

Dennis

[MeganRose]

Hi Mina .

I'm in Wollongong - I used to see a gender therapist here (not so much these days though), but I would imagine you wouldn't want to make the trip and back just for a 1 hr appoinment with a therapist, right?

My "research" into finding a gender therapist was kind of accidental: I reached the point where I wasn't coping with my issues by myself any more to the point where I was worried about hurting myself, and not knowing who to talk to I ended up calling Lifeline (you can find their number in the white pages if required) and poured my hear and soul out to a woman on the phone who I'd never met before. She gave me the number of a woman at a sexual health clinic at a nearby public hospital who provides counselling for TS people, I made an appointment with her, and she referred me on to previously mentioned gender therapist.

If you don't have the first idea of where to start, calling the Gender Centre in Sydney could be a big help. They should have info about therapists (and support groups as well) in your area - they have a phone counselling service as well. And if you like I can have a chat with my therapist next time I see him - he seems to know everyone that knows anything about gender issues in Australia, so he may be able to give me some names. And if you just want someone to talk to - you are more than welcome to email me if you like .

I know it's hard - but a little courage here could help you so much more than you could have thought.

Megan

[Mina]

Thank you both so much. Meagan, if you could ask your therapist for me that would be great: I have no idea where to start, so a few names would be a great help. Thanks again.

Love,
Mina.

[TheBattler]

Hay Mina,

Maybe I can help, I know a few consellors arround canberra and can ask about cousellers that deal in Gender. I am seeing a cousellor that mainly deals in Sexual heath. I can ask and see what she says. What does you current consellor speicials in?

Alice

[Mina]

My psychologist specialises in depression and sexuality (though like I said before, she's had no experience in Gender issues,) and she's really good at making me feel better about myself: I can vent and she'll listen. But we're not making any steps towards transition, mainly because she simply doesn't know what to do. Don't get me wrong, she's a great therapist...(I'm babbling...sorry, I'm not entirely 'together' at the moment.) Thanks Alice. If you could ask around that would help me a lot. Thank you so much...

Love,
Mina.

[MeganRose]

Thank you both so much. Meagan, if you could ask your therapist for me that would be great: I have no idea where to start, so a few names would be a great help. Thanks again.

I'm seeing him today - I'll see what he can suggest and I'll let you know .

Megan

[Lydia]

Hi Mina,

Try these contacts. They are a few specialists in the Canberra area who deal with gender issues. Can't vouch for any myself as I'm from Melbourne. Hope they point you in the right direction.

Lydia

General Practiioners

Interchange General Practice
Unit 10,
Mezzanine level, City Walk Arcade,
2 Mort Street, Canberra, 2601.
Phone 02 6247 5742

Dr Ross Newberry
Health and Counselling centre,
Building 1,
University of Canberra,
Kirinari Street, Bruce, 2617.
Phone 02 6201 2351

Dr Stephen Jamieson
Dickson Park Professional Centre, Dickson, 2602.
Phone 02 6249 7177


Psychiatrists

Dr Robert Tym
3/5 McKay Gardens, Turner, 2601.
Phone 02 6257 1356

Dr William Knox
50 Bouganville Street, Manuka, 2603.
Phone 02 62952325
Fax 06 2952672